DHS Proposed Rule: Ending Duration of Status (D/S) for F and J Visas
On August 25, 2025, DHS proposed a rule to end Duration of Status (D/S) for F and J visa holders. NAFSA has released an explainer document you can read for more details on this proposed rule.
On September 29, 2025, Vanderbilt University submitted submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security expressing our deep concerns with the proposed rule that would replace “duration of status” for F and J visa holders with fixed admission periods.
In our comment, we emphasized that such a change would create unnecessary administrative burdens for students, scholars, institutions, and DHS without meaningfully improving compliance or oversight. We also underscored that the existing SEVIS system already provides DHS with robust tools for monitoring.
You can view the submitted Vanderbilt letter on the Federal Register and the Vanderbilt-led statewide letter with eight Tennessee institutions as signatories. If you have any questions about the proposed rule, please contact us.
As a reminder, the university submits public comments on regulatory matters directly related to our core operations and academic mission. This ensures we can continue to support the success of our students, faculty, and researchers—while remaining aligned with our institutional commitment to neutrality.